The 1987 Honda Prelude has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,620,583 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030011995-05-243,700,000 affected
Defect
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN…
IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence
GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
Total complaints17
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I recently purchased a used car in january of 2010. It had installed on it, a set of four douglas 185/70r/13 tires with the manufacture date of 0408 on the sidewalls, and the previous owner stated they were only about 2 months old (bought at wal mart). They are modeled xtra trac aw. Well about 3…”
“Ignition switch - the vehicle will start but when the key is released from start the engine dies. This problem may be repeated or will again start working correctly. *jb”
“Rear restaint belt is permanently retracted and locked, I am a mother of twin toddlers and require the use use of both rear seatbelts in order to secure their saftey seats properly. Meanwhile I've tried to secure it with the middle lap belt but it has failed at providing any kind of resraint when…”
“Consumer bought the vehicle in good faith. While driving she noticed a fuel smell. Consumer didn't know from where smell was coming at that time. Brakes were 75% front and rear. Tires were 50% thread and mixmatched. *ak the vehicle has a damage from previous major accident and fuel tand was…”
“Consumer bought the vehicle in good faith. While driving she noticed a fuel smell. Consumer didn't know from where smell was coming at that time. Brakes were 75% front and rear. Tires were 50% thread and mixmatched. *ak the vehicle has a damage from previous major accident and fuel tand was…”
“Consumer bought the vehicle in good faith. While driving she noticed a fuel smell. Consumer didn't know from where smell was coming at that time. Brakes were 75% front and rear. Tires were 50% thread and mixmatched. *ak the vehicle has a damage from previous major accident and fuel tand was…”
“From day one- idle fluctuation with tons of documentation and denial to problem by dealer & representative-first day car was purchased there was a code 12. All 4 fuel injectors replaced & egr tubes cleaned. Lived with unresolved problem all these years, but now I have sudden acceleration and am…”
“From day one- idle fluctuation with tons of documentation and denial to problem by dealer & representative-first day car was purchased there was a code 12. All 4 fuel injectors replaced & egr tubes cleaned. Lived with unresolved problem all these years, but now I have sudden acceleration and am…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA89005 Opened 1988-11-16 · closed 1989-11-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Honda Prelude as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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